I’m not a big follower of popular music, but somehow Rob Thomas’s voice and lyrics speaks to me. It is great to hear a male singer with a strong voice who expresses both vulnerability and strength through music at the same time. He ahs a new album coming out June 30 called “cradlesong,” and the […]
Cradlesong, Amazing New Rob Thomas album Read More »
Steinmetz, Sol. (2008). Semantic antics: how and why words change meaning. New York: Random House Reference. A great book on the shift of word meanings over time in the English language. In addition to the generous glossary of stories of specific words, the “Introduction,” (pp. vii- xiii) is an excellent, succinct summary of the subject.
Changing Words: read most informative and fun etymology book yet Read More »
The June 18 performance of the Requiem by Hector Berlioz was perhaps the best performance I have seen at Verizon Hall. The music is powerful, and has great variety that flows from soft moments to all-out rapture. The Grande Messe des morts, Op. 5 (or Requiem) by Hector Berlioz was composed in 1837 to remember soldiers who died
Berlioz’s Requiem a great triumph at Verizon Hall Read More »
While it is advisable for everyone to have someone else proofread his or her work, sometimes that is not possible or practical. When you find yourself in this situation, consider the following tips: One strategy that works well is to go through the document paragraph by paragraph or even sentence by sentence in reverse order. That is, start by
Budman, Mark, (2008). My Life at First Try: a Novel. Washington: Counterpoint. At first it was the structure that stood out to me. Short sections that break the story up into trim, well-crafted sections. Virtually any of the sections could be enjoyed as a stand-alone work. This is Mark Budman’s best achievement here: muscular sentences
Fresh, Stunning Novel by Mark Budman: My Life At First Try Read More »
My dog Elton died last year on June 13. We honor the anniversaries of people’s deaths, but it feels a little strange saying publicly, ” my dog died one year ago today.” But the thing is, for so many of us, our pets really are part of the family. Except dogs are more forgiving than
Remembering my dog, Elton Read More »
Blount, R., (2008). Alphabet Juice: the energies, gists, and spirits of letters, words, and combinations thereof; their roots, bones, innards,piths, pips, and secret parts, … with examples of their usage foul and savory.New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Blount is certainly knowledgeable about the English language. I can say I learned a great deal from
Alphabet Juice: The Stand-up Linguist Comedian Read More »
Morrison, T., (2009). Burn This Book. City: HarperStudio. Anyone who has read even one book, poem or article or who has seen even one scripted play, movie or television program knows the power of the writer. The eleven writers of the essays in this book flesh out the reasons writing can affect people’s emotions and
Burn This Book, thought provoking book about censorship Read More »
Our trip to Colonial Williamsburg in April 2009 was my second, but the gardens struck me the most on this trip. I was so inspired, I only wish I had a bigger yard to implement all the ideas.
Colonial Williamsburg Gardens in April Read More »
The holiday spirit doesn’t just automatically appear on the same schedule for me each year. I try, though; usually I put up the Christmas tree and decorations on Thanksgiving Day. I started that process this year, but my heart wasn’t in it. Some technical difficulties with the tree lights delayed the decorations a few days,
Arrival of the Holiday Spirit Read More »
